York teens' 'green' plan heads to a vote

Thursday

YORK, Maine — Speakers at a public hearing before the Board of Selectmen Monday night applauded the vision of two teenagers who seek to make sure that construction of town buildings will be "green."

YORK, Maine — Speakers at a public hearing before the Board of Selectmen Monday night applauded the vision of two teenagers who seek to make sure that construction of town buildings will be "green."

An amendment to the zoning ordinance proposed by Hanna Mitchell and Bridget Rhinehart, seniors at York High School, will "ensure that construction of municipally funded buildings would be built to high environmental and energy performance standards," specifically requiring a minimum of a silver rating from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, according to the proposed ordinance.

The proposed Green Buildings Article would conserve resources, reduce waste generated in building construction, increase energy efficiency, and promote the health of town residents, employees and visitors.

Although compliance with the ordinance would increase the capital costs for new buildings, it is anticipated that achieving the LEED certification will result in long-term savings in operating costs.

"This is the right thing to do. It's a cost saver in the long run. Put simply, it's a no-brainer," said Community Development Director Steve Burns.

According to the U.S. Green Building Council Web site, the LEED rating system is a voluntary, consensus-based standard to support and certify successful green building design, construction and operations.

To earn LEED certification, a project must satisfy all prerequisites and a minimum number of points outlined in the rating system. Examples of activities that could earn points under the ratings system include using innovative wastewater technologies, implementing water efficient landscaping, optimizing energy use, using renewable materials in building and reducing light pollution.

"LEED buildings have a reduced operating cost and are built to last," Mitchell told tselectmen. "This May will be my first vote as an adult, and I can't think of a greater cause to use my voice."

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Newsletters

Advertise

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
seacoastonline.com ~ 111 New Hampshire Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service